How Often Should You Groom Your Dog? A Breed Guide

Smooth coat (Beagle, Dalmatian, Whippet, Weimaraner): Wipe down weekly, bathe every 4–8 weeks, professional groom 2–4 times/year. Lowest grooming cost category.

Short dense double coat (Labrador, Golden Retriever during non-shedding periods): Brush weekly, professional groom 3–5 times/year, more frequently during heavy shedding seasons (spring and autumn).

Long silky coat (Cocker Spaniel, Setters, Cavalier): Brush every 2–3 days, professional groom every 6–8 weeks.

Heavy double coat (Husky, Malamute, German Shepherd): Brush 3–4 times weekly, professional deshedding groom every 6–8 weeks during shedding season.

Curly/wavy coat (Poodle, Bichon, Doodles): Brush every 1–2 days to prevent matting, professional clip every 6–8 weeks.

Dog nails need trimming every 3–6 weeks. Overgrown nails cause pain, affect gait, and can curl back into the pad if severely neglected.

Professional nail trim at a groomer or vet: $10–$25. If you visit the groomer every 8 weeks and have nails trimmed at each visit, this is included in the groom price. But between visits, nails may need a standalone trim — particularly for dogs that do not walk on pavement (which naturally wears nails down).

Learning to trim nails at home is one of the highest-value DIY grooming skills — it saves $100–$200/year and can be done safely with proper nail clippers and basic instruction.